A U.S. factory would avoid the currency-exchange whammy, in which the falling U.S. dollar has made imported goods more expensive. VW, a mainstream brand, has less room to boost prices to make up the difference than luxury brands such as Audi.

Porsche and Hyundai leapfrogged to the top of the influential J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, potentially boosting sales at both automakers. Toyota and Lexus continued to dominate rankings of models.

This is as good as it gets for auto buyers and owners, according to Consumer Reports magazine. The best brands have stopped getting better and so have the others, the magazine's data for the past five years show. | PHOTO GALLERIES